As someone who is always knee-deep in different fragrances, I like to change it up a lot. I buy tons of different sample kits and have pretty much smelt almost all of Sephora and Shoppers Beauty Boutique.
As the season changes, I find it incredibly important to have a signature scent to line up with that change — spring is coming!
As a self-proclaimed fragrance expert, I’ll take you through some of my top picks for the season; with varying levels of affordability, recognizability, and all the fragrance families. Whether you’re looking to smell expensive, androgynous, unique, or just looking for something a little more niche, there’s something for everyone here!
floral
- Miss Dior “roses ‘n’ roses”
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Okay, this is my MOST complimented perfume. I swear, every time I wear it, people walk up to me to ask me what I’m wearing — and that’s not a typical occurrence for any other scents. It’s a true rose scent, with compliments from bergamot and white musk. You’ll feel incredibly expensive in this scent, and heads will turn when you walk by. She’s sophisticated and glamorous; wearable day or night.
- ouai “North Bondi”
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As a personal favourite, I couldn’t leave this perfume off the list. Featuring top notes like Italian lemon and apple blossom, and base notes like white musk, perfectly balance out the floral mids of jasmine, violet and rose. All in all, this citrus floral is complex, it dries down beautifully, and each hour of wear gives a new note to fall in love with.
Bonus: Ouai’s hair care products come in the same scent, so your fragrance will last all day!
- By Rosie jane “Angie”
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I don’t know what else says spring like a great fig note! This is a scent that has belonged in my top three since the first sniff. This simple scent is perfect for anyone looking for something simple and intoxicating. With only three notes: Honeysuckle, jasmine, and fig. This fragrance demands your attention from the top note all the way to the dry down.
Fresh
- Philosophy “Pure grace”
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Titled a “clean” scent by That Girl TikTokers, Philosophy’s Pure Grace has been making the rounds as one of the major scents of the subculture. It has lavender open and a floral middle note and is based on musk. It will keep you smelling clean and fresh all Spring! There’s also a bunch of variation within the line, so if Pure Grace isn’t for you, maybe the Amazing Grace fragrances like Ballet Rose or Magnolia are!
- clean reserve “nectar”
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This scent is perfect for those who want a fragrance for spring but nothing overpowering or overcomplicated. Clean Reserve formulates specifically for those with allergies, so this light and airy scent rooted in musk and opening in fruity juicy goodness is perfect for you!
- Maison margelia replica “bubble bath”
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The epitome of fresh and clean: This scent rooted in soapiness and coconut will have you smelling clean and fresh all season long. It’ll open soapy, dry down in coconutty goodness, and will last on your skin all day! This is probably what I’d deem the ultimate “that girl” scent — it’s clean, it’s simple, and it bodes well for the healthy, put-together optimized lifestyle.
woody
- atelier cologne “cedre Atlas”
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When I tell you this is one of my favourite scents, it is no joke. Rooted in amber and papyrus, the dry down makes me feel like a light academia goddess. Opening with lemon and black currant, and middle notes such as apricot give that sense of intoxication upon applying it, and then it dries down into academia coolness. I always feel like I’m meant to browse a bookstore or an old library; start a novel, or scrap all my life savings to move to Edinburgh when I wear this.
- NEST “INDIGO”
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I wanted to put a tea fragrance on this list, and while Gucci “Memoire” would be expected, Nest’s “Indigo” is way better. Fig and bergamot open this gorgeous tea scent, which is rooted in cashmere wood as a dry down. If you’re looking for something unique, a little androgynous, and cool — this is for you! Best of all, it’s affordable, and she lasts all day!
- chance by chanel “eau fraiche”
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Lemon and cedar open this gorgeous perfume, and it’ll dry down kind of woody, with a bit of amber and patchouli. It gives me sporty, on the go, carefree cool girl vibes. I don’t see people wearing this one too much, so it’s perfect if you want something recognizable, but not overdone. Especially if you want the ability to toss your hair and say “it’s Chanel!”
SPice
- by Rosie jane “James”
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Another simple scent, it feels cozy and warm and was developed to feel like early sunsets. With only three notes: Gardenia, fig (can you tell I love a good fig note?) and amber; this intoxicating open lasts all day. It’s the ultimate cool-girl scent and will have people asking you what you’re wearing, but very few will know it unless they’re fragrance fans (or Sephora website stalkers) like us.
- the 7 virtues “santal vanille”
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One of the most unique scents on this list, Santal Vanille is one of The 7 Virtues’ newest fragrances in their lineup. If you heard about the craze for Le Labo “Santal 33” that Billie Eilish set off last year, but want to try something that’s not a household name yet, this is for you. With an opening Indian Pepper and coconut, and a base in sandalwood and cacao, I can promise you no one will be wearing something similar — but everyone will be asking where you got it.
- Burberry “her intense”
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Rounding off my top three as the final fragrance of the list, I have to mention my current #1. Burberry Her often gets a reputation of being juvenile, synthetic, and too candy-like. This version, however, simplifies the scent, refines it, and adds an amber note. I bought this on a whim as a blind-buy when I couldn’t get my hands on the OG, and I have never been happier with a purchase. She feels girly, yet sophisticated. Classy, yet fun. And when I tell you it lasts all day: I put it on this morning at 9 a.m., it’s currently 6 p.m. and she’s still working hard.
Hopefully, at least scents will definitely appease your senses and have you smelling deliciously beautiful, elegant, and carefree.